Hi everyone!

For a few years now I’ve been designing and running art programs with The MacPhee Centre and NSCAD Extended Studies here in Halifax and Dartmouth. What began as a request for a comics facilitator in my inbox has slowly and organically turned into a job that I really, truly love, and one that I believe I’m pretty good at. As a wonderful added bonus, working and supporting others through their art making process has the effect of reinvigorating my own practice, so it’s been a really positive experience all around.

During the pandemic I’ve been approached about providing private art lessons for both youth and adults. If I’m being honest, I’ve been very afraid to “go out on my own”. On top of that, I have always appreciated the support and guidance from my peers at Extended Studies and The MacPhee Centre. But I’m feeling more confident in my skills these days, so maybe now is the time to test the waters? 

Here’s what I can offer you:

My expertise and forte is with teaching youth. I’ve taught every age from 7 to 70, but I find my skills really shine when working with young people, especially those experiencing anxiety, fear, lack of self-confidence, or youth who would love to get into art but feel like it can be too intimidating.

That being said, I’ve also had many adults as students! If you would like someone who can create lessons/exercises for you that are specific to drawing or watercolours, I’ve got you. Into comics? Aw heck yeah, Need someone to give you homework so you sit down with you sketchbook regularly? I love it. Looking to just bring more creativity into your life, generally? That’s a snap.

If you’re looking for adult advanced technique lessons, I’m not the teacher for you, but I bet I could recommend someone that would be so super great for your needs!

I often joke that my style of teaching is just The Lynda Barry Method, lite. She’s so heckin’ great.

I really excel at coming up with a detailed lesson plan, spending 10 minutes with my student in our first session, and promptly throwing out my lesson plan because it didn’t suit the student’s needs. I love being flexible, and I love being able to meet my students where they are in their art making instead of expecting them to meet me where I am in mine, you know? I’m keen to teach online for one hour (which usually turns into 1.5 hours because we need to check-in, consider this week’s vibe, and start up/wrap down class). Any longer and we all turn in to zombies. If you would like in-person sessions, I’m interested in figuring that out with you provided that we’re outside and socially distant. It’s a bummer, but I know we can make it work. 

If any of this sounds interesting, if you have any questions, or if you would like to chat in order to suss out if I can offer what you need, drop me an email ( jjsteeves@gmail.com )! 

Thanks for reading this very long post pals! 

A diary comic from last week featuring @omg_fine and his son Clark!

Being able to make video calls for hangouts and meetings has been so immensely helpful during quarantine.

Video calls are also the most draining version of socializing I’ve yet encountered.

Life is complicated, huh.

If you would like to support my diary comics, you can do so through Patreon (link in bio). I hope to post two a week, but honestly we’ll see how it goes. Every day is a little weirder than the last.

Take care pals 💖.

#DiaryComics #comics #zoom #facetime #SomehowINeedMoreAloneTimeNow
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVGhjsHm9a/?igshid=1sl89ij453ebd

This diary comic is up on my Patreon (in much better quality) with some more thoughts on the subject underneath the post, link in my bio.

Take care buds 💖🙏💖
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQaN96ndff/?igshid=cw6p2hyte3s5

Hey pals,

Way back at the beginning of our awareness that quarantine would last more than 2 weeks, my friend and family member @bettinabogar put out a call for participants in a 30-day selfie challenge.
I have a real soft spot for self-portraits, especially considering that historically, the self-portraits of men have been deemed masterpieces (hello rembrandt) and those of womxn artists have often been deemed narcissistic (god forbid we begin to take pride in our physical existence but whatever). This project was tough though. Mid quarantine was not exactly when I wanted to be taking photos of myself. I absolutely did not want to feel present. I did not want to be reminded of my physical form whatsoever.

But I did it, and that is largely because my favourite part of Bettina’s project had nothing to do with me: through her networks of followers and friends, she enabled people to participate in art, to make it and share it and delight in it, who normally would not consider themselves “artists.” Anytime we can empower people who are outside of the general ~~Art World~~ to make and participate and feel ownership and connection with art is a win. Anytime we take art from the formal institutions that profit so absurdly by keeping art in an ivory tower is a win. Let the people experience it and not feel like they should preface every opinion and reaction to art with “I’m not an artist, but” because you shouldn’t HAVE to be an artist or some kind of arts-based worker, to have valid reactions to art.

Bettina brought a lot of people together with this project, and judging from our social media posts, we all had very valid emotions about the art we made as a collective 🙌💖🔥💪. Maybe it’s because we used our mobile devices and not some fancy photog set up, maybe it’s the medium of social media, maybe it’s because Bettina made us all feel so supported and loved, appreciated and especially, valid. That’s pretty special. A rare and unique quality that is difficult to teach, and Bettina has a wealth of it 💖. If you would like to check out the whole project, go to @bettinabogar’s profile and the link is in her bio.
#selfiesfor30days
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAP5b6ZH4yD/?igshid=6ntnoyn9jfsh

Hey pals,

Way back at the beginning of our awareness that quarantine would last more than 2 weeks, my friend and family member @bettinabogar put out a call for participants in a 30-day selfie challenge.

I have a real soft spot for self-portraits, especially considering that historically, the self-portraits of men have been deemed masterpieces (hello rembrandt) and those of womxn artists have often been deemed narcissistic (god forbid we begin to take pride in our physical existence but whatever).

This project was tough though. Mid quarantine was not exactly when I wanted to be taking photos of myself. I absolutely did not want to feel present. I did not want to be reminded of my physical form whatsoever.

I got through it though, because my favourite part of Bettina’s project had nothing to do with me: through her networks of followers and friends, she enabled people to participate in art, to make it and share it and delight in it, who normally would not consider themselves “artists.”

Anytime we can empower people who are outside of the general ~~Art World~~ to make and participate and feel ownership and connection with art is a win. Anytime we take art from the formal institutions that profit so absurdly by keeping art in an ivory tower is a win.

Let the people experience it and not feel like they should preface every opinion and reaction to art with “I’m not an artist, but” because you shouldn’t HAVE to be an artist or some kind of arts-based worker, to have valid reactions to art.

Bettina brought a lot of people together with this project, and judging from their social media posts, they all had very valid emotions about the art they made as a collective, and they all seem very proud of it. Maybe it’s because we used our mobile devices and not some fancy photog set up, maybe it’s the medium of social media, maybe it’s because Bettina made us all feel so supported and loved, appreciated and especially, valid. That’s pretty special. A rare and unique quality that is difficult to teach. 💖

If you would like to check out the whole project, go to @bettinabogar’s profile and the link is in her bio.

#selfiesfor30days

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAP5b6ZH4yD/?igshid=iog0rude3h2u

My diary comic I posted to Patreon yesterday. Heck. What a trip this spring has been. I find myself staring at walls and ceilings even more than I did before, and that’s saying something. I don’t know what the future holds, but I can promise a lot of tears from me whatever happens. Just weepy central over here. Non-stop.

I miss feeling even a modicum of control over my life. I miss not getting the shakes multiples times a day. I miss a normal that probably is never coming back.

💜🧡💖💛
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2NiaZJfea/?igshid=1k3d7i23vmcbr

I recently sent a care package of comics to my three favourite, not-so-little-anymore people after they recently achieved a massive feat, and included these little matchbox + resin pocket treasures filled with love. I have no idea what I’m doing with resin, so I strongly recommend you do not ask me for any advice 🤣💜🧡💛💖🤷🏼‍♀️. Matchboxes are just the greatest for making pocket treasures, I’ve got to say!
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#makingart
#sendinglove
#matchbox
#resin
#uvresin
#seafarer

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ZxpZenFeG/?igshid=1v2wg2z21bcjk

Listen, I definitely would never have thought that BRAVO television would be the thing getting me through tough times, but here we are 🤷🏼‍♀️. This comic was drawn before yesterday’s events, and it is more about navigating COVID-19, but I thought I would share my coping mechanisms all the same 💖. Things are hard in Nova Scotia today. Take care of yourself however you need, and remember to go easy. Love y'all, xo.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Ne6NHH5Dc/?igshid=12zpdillzvqyf

I don’t like this self-portrait because of how I layered certain colours, but during the painting process I was reminded of how relaxing I find self-portraits. You aren’t worrying about whether the subject will be okay with their likeness, and instead you can just get lost in the way a face lumps together and I love it. 🤗😜
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#ILoveDarkEyeCircles
#selfportrait
#ink
#cmyk
#fail
#INeedToPracticeHair
#ArchesPaper
#hotpressed
#pentelbrushpen
#ecoline
#windsorandnewton
#quarantineart
#portrait
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-0CdF_HJZL/?igshid=1eqti4vkphhea

Stream-of-Thought doodles are good for my heart and soul. I’m hoping I can paint another one soon that will all be Real Housewives of New York iconic quotes/moments 🙌💖💜🧡🍎.

#art
#paint
#doodle
#streamofconsciousness
#ink
#artathome
#cmyk
#ecoline
#pentelbrushpen
#rainbow
#illustration

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-zhqzhHB9I/?igshid=1c0lgktvgxsge

#OwensDailyDraw: Pencil Rubbing

Aw heck, this was fun. I cut out shapes and built a little quarantine city, then did the rubbings with these neat crayons from Germany that were a gift from my parents! I’m now wishing I’d cut even more details 👀🖍✂️🌳.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-u9VNhHSIu/?igshid=1tk55mclm37s1

Messy phonecall doodles 4 life 💜🧡💛🙌
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ugLnQnkEc/?igshid=d6jzgzlz02hs

#OwensDailyDraw: Pet Point of View!

Well heck, this was a delight to draw and paint. Any excuse to lay on the floor for a moment, honestly. (Why does the floor always feel so safe? My brother and I talk about our affinity for the floor often).

This is our cat, Oliver Queen. His food is on a counter so as to keep the doggo from eating it, and he is often seated here, in this place, to signal that he wants us to brush him while he eats (yes he is spoiled rotten and I have zero regrets).

#owensdailydraw
#quarantineart
#ink
#pointofview
#cyan
#magenta
#cat
#kitchen
#ecoline
#windsorandnewton
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-uF9-rnbLk/?igshid=1ubzmazraac0k